Culinary Arts District funded

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

By JASON LADAY

jladay@sjnewsco.com

BRIDGETON - The city is poised to receive more than
$100,000 in Urban Enterprise Zone funds toward establishing
a culinary arts district along Laurel Street, among other
Main Street Bridgeton projects.

The money will also go toward to redevelopment of the old
Laurel Theater site.

The funds will be split into three separate awards:

* $49,500 allotted to support the Laurel Theater
renovations. Current plans include turning the property, as
well as the current BridgeWater Pub nearby, into a
three-story restaurant/bar/banquet hall.

The plan was presented by brothers Bahri and Yavuz Yilmaz,
who own the Green Olive Restaurant, in Hopewell Township,
and the BridgeWater Pub.

* $65,000 in revenue-matching funds to Main Street Bridgeton
for their efforts serving the downtown area.

* $50,000 for streetscape improvements for the newly
announced culinary arts area on Laurel Street.

City council in July stated the district will encompass East
Commerce, between Atlantic Street and North Pearl Street,
and the area of Laurel, from Washington Street to Broad
Street.

"As former Bridgeton City Council president, I am
excited for the direction my local community is
heading," said Third District Assemblywoman Celeste
Riley in a statement with fellow district legislators Sen.
Stephen Sweeney and Assblyman John Burzichelli.

"I take great pride in working toward a better future
for historic Bridgeton, and the progress being made around
the city is something that will truly improve the lives of
residents and visitors alike."

Main Street Bridgeton Executive Director Carola Hartley
stated she knew the funding had been coming their way.

However, she added she was not "exactly sure"
when the money will arrive.

She said the culinary arts district will not only feature a
variety of different cultural foods and restaurants, but
also kitchen-ware and supply stores.

She added that any business moving into the city as part of the plan would establish itself within the existing infrastructure - as oppose to knocking buildings down and building anew....